Pin elevating mechanism for bowling pin spotting machines



OC- 17, 1961 H. c. coNGELLl e-rAL 3,004,761

PIN ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 26, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. c. CONGELLI ETAL 3,004,761 PIN ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR BOWLING,

PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Oct. 17, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D90. 26, 1957 INVENTOR HENRY C. CONGELLI BOBERT L. HOLLOWAY ATTOR EY UnitedStates Patent O" The present invention relates to automaticbowling pin spotting machines and more particularly to improved mechanism for removing bowling pins from the `pit of a i bowling alley and elevating themto a Vpoint of discharge above the pit where pinsV are discharged into a pin aligning device for aligning and transfer to apindistributing mechanism for ultimate delivery to a bowling pin spotter.

In bowling pin spotting machines, and in particular automatic bowling pin spotting machines, it is desirable that bowling pins falling into the pit of a bowling alley be removed as quickly as possible therefrom anddelivered to a pin spotter which will spotv them in-playing configuration on a lbowling alley in order that the play of a game can continue with as little"interruption as possible. In most devices provided heretofore,`bowling pins removed into the elevating member have been firmly held therein by separately actuated grippers, rods `or clamps against removal during their transfer from the pit of the alley to a discharge station where the grippers are released and the pins are allowed to gravitate intov an aligning and transfer device. In others of Vthese devices, pins carried in the elevating member are slid"against and engaged by stationary guide members to-preventremoval during their transfer from the pit to the dischargel station.

The present invention is characterized by the'provision of an elevating device, which, by its novel construction, retains pins delivered thereto during ltheir transfer from the pit of the alley to the elevated discharge station without the aid of gppers, rods or clamps. At thedischarge station, when the pinV spotting mechanism of tlie vassociated machine so requires, pins are simply urged out of the elevating mechanism into the-'aligning and transfer device. .`i v 't f Further, bowling alley proprietors often desire to use pins according to the demands of play at a particular time. In open play fairly old or lused pins.are'satisfactory. In league play new or--fairly new pinsare required. Then from time to time changes of pins are It isy therefore an object of the present invention to providean elevating device which freely retains pins alley to a discharge station.

It is a furtherobject of the `present inventionl to provide a rotary pin elevating device in the form of an annular member havinga generally U-shaped circumferential channel into which bowling pins are delivered 'from the pin of a bowling alley and in whichpins are loosely ktherein during theirtransfer from the pit of a bowling 3,004,761 Patented Oct. 17, 1961 A further object of the present invention is to provide novel means Iforfensuring` the positive delivery of pins from the lpin elevating mechanism into the pin orienting and transfer device of an automatic pin spotting machine.

It is "an added object of this iuventionto provide automatic means for effecting the removal of pins from the elevating member to facilitate pin changing while the elevating `-member is in operation.

Withthese and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations `and `constructions which will be'hereinafter fully de- "scribed,r vand then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings Vwhich form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicated the same or like parts: v

' FIG'. l is front elevation showing a preferred embodinient of the invention. i

l'"VlilG. 2 isa side elevation of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1. A

FIG. 3 is a View taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the' pin elevating mech- `anism, designated generally M, chosen to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown mounted between kickbacks K of `a conventional bowling alley (not shown). Bowlingv pins 10 and balls (not shown) removed into pitv P from the-playing surface of the as'- sociated alley-are deposited onto the upper lap of a pitwide conveyor'or` travelling apron 12. Conveyor l2, which preferably is continuously in motion in pit P, describes a path of travel around rollers 14, only one of which is shown, mounted on shafts 16 (only one shown), suitably supported inv kickbacksK at the front and rear of pit' P. `Rollers 14 aredriven in any convenient manner in the `direction-of arrow A in FIGURE 2 to deliver pins 10 and balls (not shown) deposited on conveyor 12 to the rear of pit P. Platform 18, suitably secured bctween opposedfaces of kickbacks K, supports and prevents the upper lap of conveyor 12 from sagging under the load or impact of pins 10 yand balls deposited' thereon.

Balls deposited on conveyor 12 are separated from pins 10 by any suitable means and conducted to a ball return track (not shown) for eventual return to the bowler. Pins 10, thus separated from the balls, are delivered on conveyor 12 tochute 20 at the rear of pit P and adjacent mechanism M on which they slide or gravitate into pin elevating' device M. Plows ,22 and 24 locatedoil Opposite-sides of conveyorlZ operate todirect pins 10 onto chute 20.y As shown in FIGURE `2, pins 10 can actually roll downrchute 20 and move or' be moved into pinelevating mechanism M without the use of mechanical adjuncts.v v 4VPlows 22`vand 24 are suitably secured to the respective inner 4faces of kickbacks K and act to divert pins 10 away fromjkickbacks K' `for l discharge by conveyor 12 down lzhute20 intojpivn elevating mechanism M. Plows 22 and 24'have `s'urfaces"'26 which conform generally with the curve'of 'the'outer periphery'of pin elevating mechanism 'lfh'us'j any pin'10 not properly aligned or positioned Vin pin elevatingl mechanism M with its longitudinal axis substantiallyiparallel with the circumference of mechanisin M Vslides downwardly over surfaces 26 onto chute l' v20 or "conveyor 12 or into the lowermost part of mech- 4retained against removal by means v.forming afp'art of the elevating device. i v f K i An additional object of the present inventions isvto'provide novel means for storing pins until theyl vare required by the pin spotting mechanism "of an automatic 'pin spotting machine. t

anism Mfor, repositioning `for proper elevation.

Conveyor '12,VY chute 20 and plows 22 and 24 may be similarlin construction and` operationto those shown'in Hol1owayfetal1Patent 2,767,983 for Bowling Pin Elevating mechanismfa'udfurther disclosure thereof is omitted.

Apreiferred embodiment of pin elevating mechanism M comprises a rotary Imember 28 preferably of circular contour vmountedV to' rotate'infa substantially vertical plane. Rotary member 28 is formed of sheet metal parts,

t Y :.3 or sections, although it may be made of light castings ror otherwise produced to perform its desired functions. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, rotary member 28 is provided with a circular 'marginal rim Vor ring 30 which is attached to a pin receiving channel or wheel 3 6, although it may be formed as an integral part of channel or wheel 36, if desired.

Rotary member 28 is supported on spaced sheaves 38, 40, 42 and 44 rotatably mounted on horizontal shafts V46, 48, 50 and 52 respectively. Upper shafts46 and 48 are fixed to upper cross-frames 54 secured transversely at the rearef rotary member Zto kickbacks Lower shafts 50 and 52 are iixed to lower cross-frame 5,6 secured transversely at the rear ef rotary member 2.8, te kickbacks K also (see FIGURE l) -Inelined Supports 51 and 5 are secured at their upper ends to each side of cross-,frame 54 adjacent pin discharge station S2 and atv their lower ends to each side of cross frame 56 adjacent kickbacks K, adding structural rigidity to the entire framework. Upper sheaves 38 and 4.0 engage vim 30, which iS., Preierably of circular cross-section adjaentveach slide of pin discharge station S2, whilelower vsheaves 42 andV 44 engage rim 30 adjacent each side of pin pick-up station S1. Sheaves 38, 40, 42 and 44 thus support rotary member 28 for rotation in a substantially vertical plane.r

Channel 36 is generally U-ehaned in'ereeeseetiea and Preferably ie termed with an eater marginal :Haase 5S which accommodates belt 60. Belt ,60- runs on and is driven by Sheave 62 lire@ te. Shaft 63 ei a suitable Pevver source (not shown). Belt 6l) is'driven preferably coritinuously thus rotating member l2,8 through pit i in a substantially vertical plane in the direction'I of arrow B, as shown FIGURE 1.

Fillers 64 are Seeiired te retary member; 28 and equidistantly spaced in channel 36 to provide suitably shaped p in seats or pockets 66. Severi pockets 66 have been found to operate satisfactorily and for the purpose of illustration are shown employed in rotary member 28, illustrated in FIGURE 1,- He-Wever, if. desiree. the numbei ef Peekete eeiild be increased er tiesreaeerl depending iiretlv7 apen the diameter et pia` elevating. member M and Secondly, the type ef bevi/ling; Pirie, handled.: namely, terr Pirie, flask Pirieearidle pins eretirersf Pia elevating member is driven preferably Centiniieiiely thfeasli Dit Pf. Pirie 10 deli .red te .Stat-ieri S51 eri eerivever :12, aS deeeriberl hereirraleeve, eleve 'er are moved ever Chute 20 andinia ehA .Y nel 36st member 2S- iitis. 10 Seated in ehariirel ef Prem er 2S, are earried up: wardlyleither butt end first or handle e first e poc Aets 66 in the direction of arrow Bv in i to, pin dis,-V charge station S2. At 'station S2 pins 1Q. when' released, as described hereinbelowj, gravitate out of pockets y6 6 onto pin aligning and transfer xnecllanisrn-w T (partially shown) as thevrotation'member travel chpocket inv succession therepast. Pin aligning and ansfenmecharriere T may be Similar in eerrstriretieeperatierr i0 that Sheva, in Zaereher Patent 2,267,984' tias and Spettias Meeliariiera fer;v be machines airld only.. Se @auch as is req ed fer. a Ypr understanding of the present inventioniis, included 'th' AS, indicated iri FlGU- i 1L baskets.. 66 aies structed that they readily receive pins A1l) I yi Wise alena and Within ehasrrel See pins -10 lie in a plane generally transy 'to the of rotationl of member V28. t Actually' pins. 1i) annotbefs'upported for elevation in member'28. inany u Pins 10 dseharged by eenveyer 1.2 and. entering entlvyis'e into pockets 66'may b e turned onrrioved into proper peeitien therein 0r fall' haekiineri eeriveyer, '1.2,' until they are properly delivered into' a pin pocket 66.( Curtainv or shie1d'29 is secured-to lowerfcross'frap1e56. adjacent station S1 as shown in FIGURE. ll to deliect any pins 10 back onto conveyor 12 that might accidently have been thrown rearwardly out of Vmember 28fby the irreverent, thereof, when sueli Pirie 1 0. were het; prenefrly seated therein at Station S1. i

ifm' pambeserver Referring to FIGUREr .1, pin discharge station S2 is shown substantially directly over station S1. If desired, station S2 may be located at some other position along the path of travel of channel 36 as long as space is provided for the release of pins y10 from pockets 66 into pin aligning transfer'device T.

To retain pins 10 in their respective pockets 66 during their elevatien from nifl Piek lip Statieii S1 te piri die- 'c'harge station S2, rotary member 28 is provided with a substantially circular rail 68, preferably of tubular construction, secured to and rotating with member 28. Rail 68 is fixed to llers 64 at the inner periphery of channel 36 as shown in FIGURE 3. As a pin d0 in pocket 66 is elevated by memberV 28, the force of gravity lmay tend to dislodge it from its pocket 6,6 before it reaches discharge station S2.V When a pin 10' during its elevation, attempts .to-gravitate out of pocketv 66 it engages rail 68 which supports the pin 1,0 in peeket 66 against disledsirrg by Agravity during its` elevation toward station S2. Thus pins lwifll be freely retained in their respective pockets 66 for elevation, lfrom station S1 to S2 and thence to pin aligning and transfer mechanism T.

At station 82 a selectively operable release mechanism is provided to urge pins 10 out of their respective pockets 66 when such pins are required during the cyclic operation of the associated bowling pin spotting machine. The release mechanism in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, comprises a push bar 7 0 pivotally mounted on stud 72 secured adjacent the upper edge of bracket 74. Push bar 70 is provided with a cam track 76. Cam follower 78` is fitted in track 76 and rotatably mounted on oneA end of' arm 80, which is preferably of V-shaped configuration. Arm 80 is pivotally mounted adjacent its midpoint or substantially at the apex of the V on stud 81 secured to bracket 74. The other end of arm 80 is con nected by spring 82 to the yarmature 84 of solenoid 86. One end of a second spring 88 isv likewise connected to this end of Yarm 80j while the other end of spring 88 is secured to stud 91 lixed to bracket 74. Solenoid 86 is secured to the lower edge of bracket 74 which in turn -isflxed Ito upper crosseframe5f4 adjacent station S2. When the release mechanism is non-operative, armature 84 is extendend` and springs 82 and 88 lare fully retracted.

WhenY during the cyclic operationv of the associated bowling pin spotting machine, pins are required by the pin spotting mechanism thereof, a control device (not shown)A .completesa circuit energizing solenoid 86. When solenoid 86 is energized, armature 84 thereof is retracted and Vspring 82 extended, pivoting arm 80 about stud' 81. This rotation of arm 80 moves cam follower 78 in track 76 causing push bar 70 to be pivoted about stud 72 and 'intoV the space between rail 68 and rim 30. In this posii invention, further disclosure thereof is omitted.

Each ller 64 is provided with a recess 65 between rail '68 andY rim 30-'which accommodates the passage of a filler 64 over pushA bar 70 when push bar 70 is in operative position as' member 28 rotates Vfillers 64 past station S2. Also, if push bar is actuated by solenoid 86 as a pin 10 vis directly over it, the weight ofthe pin will be sufficient to overcome the force in spring 82 preventing arm -80 :from rotating until the pin 10 passes over the push bar 70which, when thus released, emerges into operative posi- Y Ytion to ejectV the next pin 10 engaged thereby.

When the vpin spotting mechanism (not shown) no longer requires that pins be discharged at station S2, the control device (not shown) breaks the circuit energizing solenoid 86. Since solenoid 86 no longer holds armature 84, spring 88,` extended when solenoid 86 was energized, loperates to 'return armature 84 to its extended position. This in turn pivots arm about stud 81, causing push,

bar 70 to be withdrawn 'from operative position between rail 68 and rim 30. Pins 10 carried in pockets 66 on rail 68 will be carried past station S2 and returned to station S1, rotary member 28 acting asa pin storage member, until such time as solenoid 86 is again energized as described hereinabove.

Tov permit pin changing while member 28 is in operation, mechanism is'provided to automatically remove unwanted pins from the machine; The pin changing mechanism'comprises an arm 90, fixed to one end of a shaft 92 adjacent rail 68. Shaft 92 is rotatably mounted in sleeve 94 secured to bracket 96. Bracket 96 is in turn fixed to theunderside of upper cross-frame 54 and inclined support 51. A handle 98 is provided at the other end of shaft 92 to actuate arm 90.

When it is desired to remove pins from play, handle 98 is rotated, which in turn rotated shaft 92 in sleeve 94 and pivot arm 90 into the space between rail 68 and rim 30. As pins in pockets 66v are elevated toward station S2, they engage arm 90 and are cammed out of pockets 66, over rail 68 and into funnel 100 suitably secured by bracket 102 to inclined support 51 and by bracket 104 to upper cross-frame 54. Funnel 100 delivers lall unwanted pins 10 thus discharged from rotary member 28 rearwardly into a suitable pin receptacle 101. Fillers 64 provided with recess 65 pass over arm 90, permitted arm 90 to remove pins from member 28 until all unwanted pins have thus been taken out of play. At that time handle 98 is again rotated pivoting arm 90 out of the space between rail 68 and rim 30 and allowing pins 10 in pockets 66 to again be delivered to station S2.

Thus a safe and eicient mechanism is provided for Iaccomplishing pin changing while the bowling pin spotting machine employing apin elevating mechanism embodying this invention maintains continuous operation.

What we claim is:

' .1. In a bowling pin spotting machine :for use with a bowling alley-having a pit at one end, mechanism for elevating bowling pins removed'from'the playing surface of said alley into said pit comprising an lannular channel, means mounting said channel for rotation in a substantially vertical plane such that portions thereof pass successively through and out of said pit, means` for rotating said channel, means for moving said pins in said pit into said channel as said successive portions thereof pass through said pit, pin supporting means spaced from said channel and forming therewith elongated areas of support extending generally in the direction of movement of said channel, means securing said pin supporting means on said channel for travel therewith, said pin supporting means being operative to support and hold pins in said channel against removal therefrom during the rotation of ,said channel, and mechanism located `at a point remote lfromsaid pitfor selectively releasing pins from saidA channel. A y

`2. I'he invention defined in kclaim l wherein said mechanismy includes a pin remover, and means for moving said 'remover into engagement with pins in said channel to elect the gravitational discharge of pins therefrom, whereby pins to be used in said pin spotting machine may be changed while said channel is in motion.

3. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, a pin delivery station, mechanism for elevating bowling pins removed from the playing surface of said alley into said pit for delivery to said station comprising an annular pin seating and conveying device, means mounting said device for rotation in a substantially vertical plane such that portions thereof pass successively through and out of said pin, means for rotating said device, means for moving pins from said pit into said device as said successive portions thereof pass A through said pit, said device including a pin supporting Wall, an arcuate rail, means mounting said rail on said device and spaced forwardly of said wall and subst-antially parallel thereto for conveying pins freely held "6 thereby in said deviceE against removal `therefrom during the rotation of said device.

4. The invention as defined inclaim 3 including pin release means mounted -at a point remote from said pit, and mechanism for operating said release means to selectively release said pins held in said device.

5. Pin holding mechanism for use with a rotary pin elevating device of an automatic bowling pin spotting machine comprising an annular pin supporting wall, a circular pin supporting rail, means mounting said rail on said pin elevating device in substantially parallel relation with said wall and spaced therefrom a distance suflicient to provide means for conveying pins and holding pins supported by said wall and rail against removal therefrom during the rotation of said pin elevating device.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 including release means selectivel operable to effect the discharge of said pins from said units at a pre-determined location.

7. -A pin elevating device for la bowling pin spotting machine associated with a bowling alley having a pit at one end thereof, comprising an annular channel of substantially U-shaped cross-section, means supporting said channel for rotation in a substantially vertical plane, a plurality of spaced pin holding pockets in said channel, means for rotating said channel to pass each of said pockets successively through said pit, means for moving Ipins in said pit removed `from the playing surface of said alley into said pockets, pin supporting means spaced from said channel and forming therewith elongated areas of support extending generally in direction of movement of said channel, means securing said pin supporting means on said channel for travel therewith to hold pins in said pockets against removal therefrom during the rotation of said channel, a pin discharge station, and means operable at said station to release pins from said pockets.

8. The invention as delined in claim 7 wherein said last-named means includes a pin ejector, means mounting said ejector at said discharge station to engage pins conveyed thereto in said pockets and means for selectively operating said ejector to urge said pins from said pockets for gravitation'out 'of said device.

9. A pin elevating mechanism for -a bowling pin spotting machine associated with a bowling alley having a pit at one 'end thereof, comprising an annular channel of substantially U-shaped cross-section with radially inwardly directed side walls, said channel having a central aperture, a ring, means mounting said ring on the inner periphery of said channel, a plurality of rollers, means rotatably mounting said rollers at spaced points adjacent saidV ring to support said channel for rotation in a substantially vertical plane, a plurality of spaced pin holding pockets in said channel, means for rota-ting said channel to pass Yeach of said pockets successively through said pit, va pin receiving station, means for moving pins in said pit removed from the playing surface of said alley into said pockets at said pin receiving station, a circular guide, means mounting said guide on said channel in axially spaced relation relative to said inner periphery thereof and adjacent said pockets to form with said pockets supporting means to retain said pins in said pockets against removal therefrom as said channel is rotated, a pin discharge station, and means selectively operable at said discharge station to release said pins from said pockets.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said last-named means includes an arm, means pivotally mounting said arm for rotation into the space between said ring and said guide into said pockets as said pockets are moved past said discharge station, a solenoid, means connecting said solenoid to said arm and an operating circuit to selectively actuate said solenoid to rotate said arm into said pockets at said discharge station whereby said pins retained therein are urged over said guide and out of said pockets into a pin aligning and transfer device.

1l. The invention as defined in claim 10 including a pin changing apparatus'comprising an arm, means pivotally mounting said arm at a pre-determined position between said pin receiving station and Said pin discharge station 'for rotation between said ring vand said guide and into said pockets as said pockets are rotated therep'ast, and a handle -for rotating said arm such that when said arm is rotated between said ring and said guide, unwanted pins retained in said pockets are urged lover said guide and out of said pockets whereby pins to be used in said pin spotting machine may be changed. A

12, The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said pin supporting means is operative to'retain pins in said pockets against removal therefrom when said pins are not engaged by said pin ejector whereby said pins are carried in said pockets back to said pit.

13. Ihe invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said means connecting said solenoid to said arm includes a cam track in said arm, a pivot, a cam follower mounted on one end of said pivot for travel in said cam track, and a spring connected at one end' to the other end of said pivot and secured at the other end to the armature of said solenoid whereby, ifa pin in said pocket is directly in the path of travel of said arm when said solenoid is energized, the movement of said arm will be suppressed .until said pin has passed out of the path of travel of said arm, ensuring positive release of said pins from said pockets into the pin orienting and transfei device of said associated pin spotting machine.

14. Pin holding mechanism for use with a rotary pin elevating device with an automatic bowling .pin spotting machine vcomprising an annular pin supporting wall, an arcuate rail, means mounting said rail on said pin elevating device in laxially spaced relation with said wall to provide means for conveying pins and holding pins conveyed thereby against removal therefrom during the rota tion of said pin elevating device, said pin elevating device having inwardly directed side walls, said device having a centralV aperture, spaced supports, means rotatably mounting said supports adjacent the inner periphery of said device and means for rotating said device on sd supports in a substantially vertical plane.V

15. A pin elevating device for a bowling pin spotting machinerassociated with a bowling -alley having a pit at one end thereof, comprising an annular channel of substantially U-shaped cross section with radially inwardly extending side walls, said channel having a central aperture, an arcuate rim mounted adjacent the inner periphery of said channel, means supporting said rim and 'mounting said channel for rotation in a substantially vertical plane, a plurality of spaced pin holding pockets in said channel, means for rotating said channel to pass each of said pockets successively through said pin, means for moving pins in said pit removed from the playing surface of vsaid alley into said pockets, arcuate rail, means mounting said rail on said channel adjacent ksaid pockets to hold said pins in said pockets against removal 'therefrom during the rotation of said channel, a pin discharge station,` and means selectively operable at said discharge station to release said pins from said pockets.

16. The invention as delined in claim 15 wherein said channel mounting means includes rollers and means rotatably mounting said rollers at spaced points on the inner periphery of said channel to support said rim.

17. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, mechanism for elevating bowling pins removed .from vthe playing surface of said alley into said pit comprising an annular channel, a plurality of pin holding units in said channel, a pin receiving station, a pin discharge station, means for rotating said channel to travel said units in succession to and from said pin receiving station, and to and from said discharge station, means for directing pins into said insaid channel, a pin retaining device mounted in spaced relationship with said pin holdingunits on and enacting with said channel to hold said pins in said units as said units travel to and -from said pin receiving station, and means .at said discharge station to selectively release said pins from said units, said means holding said pins in said units including a circular rail, and' means securing said rail to said channel adjacent said units whereby pins directed into said units at said pin receiving station upon rotation of said channel engage and rest in part on'said rail and are held thereby against removal from said units as said pins are traveled toward said' discharge station.

18. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, mechanism for elevating bowling pins -removed from the playing surface of said alley into said pit vcomprising -an annular channel, a plurality of pin holding units in said channel, a pin receiving station, a pin discharge station, means for rotat- Sing said channel to travel said units in succession to and from said pin receiving station, and to and from said discharge station, means for directing pins into said units in said channel, pin retaining means spaced -from said units and forming therewith elongated areas of ysupport extending lgenerally in the direction of movement of said channel, to hold said pins in said units during the movement of said channel, means securing said pin retaining means on said channel for `travel therewith, ejecting means at said discharge station to selectively release said pins .from said units, said Vejecting means includ-ing an arm, means pivotally mounting said arm for rotation into said units at said discharge station, a solenoid, means connecting said solenoid to said arm, and an operating circuit lto selectively actuate said solenoid such `that when said solenoid is energized, said arm is rotated into said'units as said units are traveled l"thei'epast and pins held `therein are urged out of said units.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,786,679 Strauss et all '-Q Mar. V26,71957 

